Cold in New York -- need coat or miracle

By Jen Sinco Kelleher
Reporter
Newsday, Long Island, N.Y.

Posted: Dec. 12, 2002

Feeling frustrated with New York, lacking the perspective to see the bounty of my life, I stood in front of a mother's home. The father of her child had been charged for beating their 9-month-old infant to death. Cold, tired and hungry, I waited like a vulture for her to comment.

I'm glad she didn't come out of her house. But I began to question (for what seemed like the 100th time that day) my career and why I was alone and broke in a strange, cold place.

That's when my cell phone rang.

"I'm in a store and want to know what size you wear," my friend Charles said.

I was confused. Charles is one of about three friends I have here. We're not that close, and I couldn't imagine why he wanted to know such a detail.

"I know you're from Hawaii, and I know you're cold," he said. "I want to buy you a coat."

Charles, who on good nights brings home between $60 and $100 waiting tables in Manhattan, wanted to buy me a coat. Charles, who rummages for bread in a bakery dumpster, wanted to spend his money to keep me warm.

I told him he was being silly, and there was no need to buy me a coat.

"You're a dork," I told him.

I filed my story, went about my day and fumed about a cop who threatened to impound my car for having expired California plates. I forgot about the coat conversation.

Last night I got another call from Charles. I was to meet him in front of Macy's on 34th Street. Emerging from the subway, I looked up to see the gigantic store, already decked out in Christmas frills. Across the street, Charles stood shielding a large plastic bag from the rain.

He pulled out a long, black down coat. I was speechless. He put it on me and it reached my calves. He bent down to adjust the zipper. He pulled on the collar and the sleeves to make sure it fit.

I had never felt such warmth. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. My miracle on 34th Street.

"I know you stand outside a lot, so it has to be long enough," he said.

"You shouldn't have," I began.

"Just say ‘thank you,’" he said.

"Thank you," I said, tears brimming from my eyes.

He stuffed the receipt in the coat's pocket.

"In case it doesn't fit or you don't like it," he said.

I reached for it. One-hundred and thirty dollars! I have never spent that much on a single article of clothing. I told him I couldn't take the gift -- as touching as the gesture was.

Charles was adamant about giving me the coat. Again I was speechless.

We walked to Times Square in the rain and shared an apple pie at McDonald’s. Still, I was speechless and began to think about how lucky I am. Lucky to have good people in my life. I thought about Gariot who instantly goes from surly to supportive the minute he hears me crying on the other line. I thought about Elena, Liz and Laura who this weekend made me feel like part of a family.

A man interrupted my thoughts. He asked us for donations to save his church. I gave him a dollar.

Charles and I went our separate ways on the subway.

At the subway booth, I realized I didn't have enough money for a one-way ticket home. I tried to explain to the booth lady that I was 50 cents short. A man behind me dropped 50 cents into the tray. I turned around to thank him, but he already was walking away.

New York can be a tough place. Sometimes I feel my nerves harden simply by crossing the street. But as I brace myself for an upcoming Christmas -- a season that always brings me down -- I will try hard to hold onto these moments.

Jen Sinco Kelleher was a Summer 2000 Chips Quinn Scholar at The Detroit News. Reach her at jenhapa@hotmail.com

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